German Names

As in Britain, Biblical names are popular, and versions of classical names also exist. Roman influence was less strong, with many of the old Germanic names being retained. In ancient times these were often compound names made up of two different elements which made sense together, but as the custom of naming a child with elements taken from both parents became common, the meanings were no longer so important. Prior to the adoption of inherited surnames, a family could indicate their relationship by using the same first element for all the children.

Under Nazi rule, a list of names was compiled and it was illegal to use any other names. Nicknames were not allowed and if a child was given two first names the parents had to record which was going to be for daily use.

Many Germanic names have now become common in other countries but it was only in recent years that foreign names began to be popular in Germany. French name forms are widely used in the western part of the country and Slavonic influence is apparent in the eastern regions with names such as Wenzel and Stenzel and diminutives like Anja, Anke and Annuschke being common. In southern Germany and Austria, pet names ending in -l and -i are very common, hence Gretel (Grete) and Poldi (Leopold), and the influence of the Catholic church has led to many saints' names being retained.

Naming Patterns

In the C18th, a child was often given two baptismal names, the first one being that of a saint or having religious connotations. This might be the same for each child in the family. It was the second, secular name by which the person was known. This custom was also followed by German communities in America. It was also common to name children according to a pattern which honoured specific relatives and some families adhered strictly to this, although some only went as far as the grandparents. If a name was duplicated, the next in the pattern was used instead.

Combined Names

Male

Female

Given Name and Variants

Diminutives

Origin

Annegret

Anneliese, Annelise, Annalisa

Annemarie

Eva-Maria

Hannelore

Hannele? Hanneli?

Liselotte

Lilo

Lottelore

Trudeliese

Old German Names

These names are often in Latin form as that is how they were recorded by medieval authors. It is unlikely that this would be the spoken form and the '-us' or '-is' endings would probably have been dropped. They are similar to the Frankish names of early medieval France which later became popular with the Normans who brought them to England in the invasion of 1066.

Male

Abelard

Adalbert

Adalbrecht

Adalfuns

Adalhard

Adelstan

Adelulf

Adso

Aganbold

Agid

Agin

Agino

Aigo

Alaricus

Albertus

Albgast

Albirich

Aldo

Alimahus

Amalrich

Amalricus

Ambrico

Ambricus

Amo

Ampho

Anafrid

Andhari

Ansehelm

Ansgor

Anshelmus

Ansila

Ansobert

Aranold

Arcavius

Archembald

Archimbalt

Arenvald

Arnald

Arnegis

Arnoald

Arnoldus

Arnwald

Ascalo

Ascila

Aspuanis

Athalwolf

Audegar

Audila

Audo

Autgar

Avila

Azzo

Baldavin

Baldemarus

Baldewin

Bardo

Baro

Baso

Bazzo

Berahthraben

Berhdoldus

Berhtolf

Berico

Beringaer

Beringer

Berinhard

Bernardus

Bero

Beroald

Berthar

Bertilo

Berwelfus

Bezilo

Binizo

Bisinus

Blanko

Bobo

Bodenolf

Bodo

Bodolev

Bodoloff

Boiorix

Bovo

Burchard

Burconius

Burgundus

Burkardus

Carbo

Ceubasnus

Chacili

Chazili

Chlodovech

Chlodowig

Chonrad

Chretzo

Chrezzo

Chustaffus

Ciprianus

Clarebald

Clarembald

Cobbo

Cornel

Cristianus

Crotila

Cuno

Cunradus

Dagilo

Dailus

Dammo

Deigenhardus

Didericus

Dimarus

Ditmarus

Ditwinus

Dolleo

Draga

Drogo

Dudo

Duihna

Eberhardus

Eburhart

Eckardus

Edelstein

Eginolf

Eidhart

Eigio

Einolfus

Embrico

Emelricus

Emercho

Emicho

Emmerich

Endemannus

Ercanbald

Ermenoldus

Ernolf

Ernust

Eutha

Everwinus

Facco

Fadiko

Faramund

Fastred

Fato

Fersio

Fersomeris

Filibert

Fizzilo

Flaco

Flanbert

Folkher

Folkmod

Franco

Fraomanius

Fridebertus

Fridebraht

Fridericus

Fridurih

Frilo

Frithuric

Fulco

Fullofaudes

Gabo

Gadfrid

Gaido

Gairbert

Gairebold

Gairhard

Gairovald

Garibald

Gastne

Gaufrid

Gautbehrt

Gautelen

Gautzelin

Gauzelen

Gauzpert

Gawin

Gebahard

Gebhard

Gelfradus

Gelther

Gerbertus

Gerbodo

Gerbotho

Gerhardus

Gerhart

Gerlach

Gerlacus

Gernandus

Gerulf

Gerwald

Gevehard

Gigo

Gimmo

Giselberdus

Gisfrid

Gisilbehrt

Gisilbert

Giso

Glaumunt

Glauperaht

Godafried

Godehard

Godesmannus

Godila

Godohelm

Godscalcus

Goldkopf

Gomeric

Gosbert

Gotteschalk

Gottschalk

Gotwinus

Gotzstaf

Grawo

Gundobald

Gunnulf

Guntard

Gunterus

Guntmar

Guntramus

Gunzelinus

Gusso

Hagarih

Hagilo

Haimirich

Haimo

Halo

Hanno

Hano

Hapertus

Haribehrt

Hariberct

Hariman

Harimann

Hariwald

Harpernus

Hartmannus

Hartmudus

Heidolfus

Heimerich

Heinricus

Helfricus

Helgaud

Helmhart

Heribehrt

Herilo

Herman

Hermannus

Herminafrid

Hertwicus

Hetzkinus

Hildeberht

Hildebrandus

Hildegaud

Hildibrand

Hiruz

Hluodohari

Hluodowig

Hnaufridus

Holo

Hraban

Hremfing

Hroch

Hrodebert

Hrodgar

Hrodger

Hrodo

Hrodric

Hrodrich

Hrodulf

Hrotmar

Hrudolf

Hruodiger

Hruodland

Hruodpehrt

Hugi

Hugo

Hugubehrt

Hugubert

Hunberct

Hunfrid

Huolo

Hupertus

Hurmio

Isenbard

Iso

Ivvanus

Jofridus

Johannes

Joppo

Jordanes

Judbert

Judo

Kacili

Kuonrat

Laico

Lallo

Landebert

Landico

Lando

Landoberct

Lanzo

Launobaudus

Launus

Lentfridus

Leonhard

Leudbald

Lewenhart

Liukardis

Liutbalt

Ludewicus

Ludoldus

Luitfridus

Luitgarde

Luitpold

Lvfridus

Madulnus

Magahard

Maganhard

Maginfred

Maginrad

Malbert

Malger

Mallobaudes

Malo

Mangod

Manifred

Mansuetus

Mantio

Manzio

Maricho

Maricus

Marquardus

Maso

Masso

Matto

Maus

Mazo

Mazzi

Meffridus

Meinfridus

Meingotus

Mello

Mengotus

Merobaudes

Mezzi

Milo

Muato

Mundo

Munifrid

Munio

Munizo

Nadilo

Nagal

Neozzo

Nibelungus

Nidungus

Niuzilo

Nordemann

Oggod

Ortolfus

Ortwinus

Otho

Pizzo

Poppa

Quito

Radulf

Raffo

Rafold

Raganald

Raganfrid

Raganhard

Raganher

Raginhart

Raginmund

Raimer

Rammius

Rampo

Ratilo

Rautio

Reinboldus

Richart

Ricohard

Ripertus

Riso

Roricus

Rubertus

Rudegerus

Rudolfus

Runo

Rusto

Ruthardus

Sarilo

Sconea

Shilgen

Sibertus

Sibico

Sibilo

Siboldus

Sibragtus

Sibratus

Sidimund

Siegmyrth

Sifridus

Sigenandus

Sindo

Sito

Situli

Snaracho

Snarung

Snato

Snazi

Stallo

Starchari

Sumar

Sunno

Suppo

Swikerus

Tadica

Tallo

Teutobod

Thancharat

Thancheri

Theodbald

Theodemar

Theodericus

Theodilacus

Theodoric

Theudobald

Theutlich

Thieme

Thiemmo

Thiudorieks

Trafstila

Trapsta

Trostheri

Trostila

Truhtilo

Ucco

Ulricus

Ulta

Unsenis

Vagdvaraestus

Varin

Vidans

Waibilo

Waido

Walahfrid

Waldhar

Waldhere

Waldibert

Waldomar

Walhbert

Waliko

Waloco

Walpurga

Wandilo

Warenheri

Warinhari

Wazo

Wecelo

Weidheri

Weila

Welp

Welpo

Wercha

Wercrata

Werdo

Wernerus

Wezilo

Wibil

Widargelt

Widigast

Wido

Widogast

Widradus

Wigandus

Wigo

Wikerus

Wilhelmus

Willahelm

Willamar

Willehelm

Winebaud

Winicho

Wintar

Wintherus

Wintri

Withari

Withekindus

Wocco

Woco

Wolkan

Wortwinus

Wracwulf

Wultgar

Wunnihad

Wurm

Zinzo

Female

Ada

Adala

Adalberta

Adalheid

Adalheidis

Adalind

Adalindis

Adallindis

Adalmut

Adalrada

Adaltrutis

Adaluuidis

Adalwara

Adalwif

Adda

Addela

Adela

Adelaidis

Adelheidis

Adeltrudis

Adhela

Adila

Adwala

Aebbe

Agentrudis

Agglethrudis

Albelenda

Alberad

Alberadis

Albrad

Albrade

Albruga

Alburch

Alburg

Alda

Aldguda

Aldgudana

Aldruth

Aleidis

Alfgarda

Alfild

Alflent

Alia

Alverat

Alvered

Amalberga

Amalberta

Amalbirga

Amalfriede

Amalgunde

Amoltrud

Amulberga

Anselda

Ansitruda

Anstruda

Aschilt

Athala

Athela

Aua

Auacyn

Auekin

Auin

Auina

Auriana*

Aurildis

Austrechildis

Ava

Avacyn

Avekin

Avelina

Aveza

Avin

Ayla

Baltelda

Balthechildis

Balthildis

Bauin

Bava

Bavacin

Bavin

Bechte

Belegardis

Berehta

Bergard

Bergundis

Berhta

Beriungis

Berna

Bernewief

Bernewif

Berta

Bertaida

Berthildis

Berthlenda

Bertildis

Bertliana

Bertrada

Bertruda

Bertswinda

Betlindis

Bettin

Binhildis

Blitekin

Boltiarda

Bova

Boviardis

Bytzel

Childebertana

Chlotichhilda

Chunegundis

Cilia*

Clodauuiua

Clotrada

Conegont

Conegundis

Conegunt

Constantia

Contzel

Crapahildis

Cristehildis

Cristemburga

Cristemia

Cristyne

Cunegund

Cunegundis

Dadin

Dagarada

Danburga

Demuth

Dilli

Dillo

Doda

Dodda

Duda

Eberhild

Ebertana

Eburhild

Eburhilt

Edeberga

Edeborg

Edila

Ega

Egecin

Egeluuara

Egesburga

Egesloga

Ehgelhild

Ehgeluuara

Elftrudis

Else

Elsebeth

Emecin

Emeludt

Emma

Engelgard

Engelsuit

Engeluuara

Engelwara

Enna

Erchembrog

Eremburgis

Ereprad

Erkembrog

Erkenbrog

Erkenburoc

Erkenrad

Ermandrud

Ermecin

Ermegardis

Ermengarda

Ermengardis

Ermentrudis

Ermeswindis

Ermina

Erpsuid

Errictruda

Ethelchif

Ethelgard

Ethelgarda

Eue

Euerloga

Eurildis

Eurohildis

Everelda

Evereldis

Evfemia

Farahilda

Flouerana*

Folclind

Folclinda

Folcrada

Folcuuara

Folgarda

Folsuindis

Folsuuendis

Fordola

Fortlifh

Frauuara

Fredeburgis

Fredegonde

Frederada

Fredeuuara

Frethegard

Frethesuinda

Frethesuindis

Fridegundis

Fridesuenda

Fridewiga

Frisburgis

Frithelinda

Frouuin

Frouuina

Fye

Gailan

Gailana

Geila

Gelduuara

Gele

Geneva*

Gerberga

Gerburg

Geredrudis

Geretrudis

Gerharde

Gerhild

Gerlent

Gerlinda

Gersenda

Gersuenda

Gersuinda

Gertruda

Gertrudis

Geruuara

Geua

Geva

Gisela

Gisila

Gisla

Glismodis

Godalinda

Godeca

Godecin

Godelda

Godelinda

Godildis

Goduuara

Gothuuera

Grede

Gredechin

Grimuuara

Grishild

Guda

Gude

Gundichild

Gundrada

Guodhelda

Guodlia

Gyel

Gyszel

Hadaken

Hadewidis

Harwara

Hazeca

Hedewigis

Heidindrudis

Heilewif

Heilswinda

Heldeburga

Heletradana

Heleuuidis

Helewidis

Helinda

Heltrada

Hengelsenda

Herden

Herdin

Herenborg

Herenfrida

Herlindis

Herlinda

Hermana

Hermengarda

Hette

Hildberta

Hildborg

Hildcardis

Hildeberga

Hildeburg

Hildeburgis

Hildegard

Hildegardis

Hildelana

Hildemunda

Hildeswindis

Hildeuuara

Hildeuuif

Hildewara

Hildewif

Hildrada

Hildwara

Hiltrude

Hirmenlind

Hostaruuara

Hruodgarda

Hruotberta

Ida

Idasgarda

Ideslef

Idesuuif

Ideswif

Idisiardis

Imicina

Imma

Ingela

Ingelswindis

Ingeluuara

Ingelwara

Iodberta

Iolitha*

Irmele

Irmengard

Irmenhild

Irmenlind

Isa

Isburch

Isold

Judda

Kordel

Kordula

Kungund

Landburuga

Landgarda

Landrada

Lanthildis

Lantuuara

Lavena

Lavina

Lebdrudis

Leddinga

Leuekin

Leuuich

Liaueld

Lidiardis

Liedrada

Liefhun

Lieftet

Liepmayt

Lietgarda

Lietgardis

Lietuuif

Lieuuara

Lifgarda

Linda

Lindi

Liodburga

Liodgard

Liodrada

Litburh

Litgardis

Litiardis

Lucardis

Lugardis

Lype

Lyse

Machtildis

Madelrada

Madhalberta

Magthildis

Magtildis

Mahthild

Mahthildis

Malasintha

Malasuintha

Margarete

Markuuara

Mathildis

Mauriana*

Meckil

Megenberta

Megendrod

Megenhelda

Megenlind

Megenlioba

Megensind

Megensinda

Megenuuara

Meinburg

Meinnelda

Meinsent

Meinswindis

Menborch

Methdin

Methild

Methildis

Minna

Murina*

Nidlebis

Niesenn

Nordrada

Oda

Odala

Odburga

Odela

Odgiva

Odguda

Odgudana

Odila

Odilia

Odlenda

Odriana*

Olburgis

Olga

Orieldis

Osgarda

Osgiua

Otberta

Otgiua

Otgiva

Otilia

Oydela

Pharahildis

Radagundis

Radborg

Radburg

Radburgis

Radegund

Radeken

Radgert

Radlia

Radsuinda

Rainilda

Rainildis

Ramburga

Regana

Regenburuga

Regenelda

Regenlind

Regenset

Reginsuint

Regneuuig

Reinewif

Reingard

Reingardis

Reingart

Reingaud

Reingod

Reinhedis

Reinsuent

Relindis

Renburgis

Rennewief

Riberta

Richelda

Richildis

Riclindis

Ricsuinda

Rikildis

Rinelt

Rinilda

Rodburga

Rodgarda

Rodgardae

Rofsind

Rosamunda

Roslindis

Roswitha

Rotburga

Rothin

Rotlenda

Seburg

Seburga

Siborch

Siburg

Sigarda

Sigberta

Sigeberta

Sigeburgis

Sigethrod

Sigiburgis

Snelburch

Stenburch

Stilleuuara

Strilleburg

Suitburgis

Syardis

Syele

Teudsindis

Thancuuara

Theaduuara

Thedela

Theodelinda

Thidela

Thieda

Thietgarda

Thietuuich

Thietwara

Thiodsind

Thiodsuinda

Thiutuuara

Thrasborg

Thrudberga

Ticekin

Tietlenda

Tietza

Trhutborgana

Trudlinde

Trutilda

Ualdburg

Ualdethruda

Uda

Ueremund

Uerenburoc

Uiburgis

Uindborog

Uinebarga

Uireda

Ulgarda

Uoldolberta

Veleda

Vrowecin

Vualdberta

Vualdedruda

Vualdetruda

Vuifken

Vuinetberta

Vuiuechin

Waldburg

Warehild

Wavin

Wiblind

Wiburgis

Wifhildis

Wihted

Wilberga

Wilgeva

Willelda

Willesuindis

Wivecin

Wivin

Wlbergis

Wlbgis

Wlfildis

Wlgert

Yrmengardis

Thincsus - a god like Mars

Ancient Hungary

1dagvalda

2pusinna

German Surnames

Modern Germans follow the same system as Britain, with one or more given names followed by an inherited family name. In pre-Roman times the system was similar to most early societies - one personal name only with perhaps a nickname for easier identification. Upper class families often precede their surnames with 'von' or 'zu' or even both but these prefixes also indicate places of origin. Gustave Aschenbach of Thomas Mann's 'Death In Venice' becomes Gustave von Aschenbach when he is enobled.